Yes, these are difficult times.

The one quality that guarantees your financial future is your work ethic.

In that regard, your career is in your hands.

With our work-at-home world, you can grind out more results than is expected.

Perception is everything.

You can create a perception that you are a must keep person.

Bring new solutions to old problems.

Show upper management that you care about the company.

If not today, when?

Once in awhile, everyone is tempted to treat themselves. Maybe it is a sweet, or a purchase or even an activity. It could also just be a time alone to relax or read.

Why is it that most of us feel guilty when we think of “gifting” ourselves this way.

Maybe it is the way we were raised. Work has always been praised and admired whereas “treats” may indicate laziness or lack of ambition. Hard work has always been the key to success.

Even in school, hard work is what gets us to the finish line.

Maybe it is time to turn that philosophy around. Especially in the United States, we work, work, work. Overtime is rewarded, extra projects in schools get better grades and nice, clean houses are admired.

Let us treat ourselves now and then without guilt. When they say, “Stop and smell the flowers,” it is good advice. We must be balanced people who know how to enjoy the gifts of the earth.

When you are dying and look back on your life, will you agonize over the fact that you did not have more organized closets. Will you wish you had spent more time at the office?

I don’t think so.

Hopefully you will look back and remember all the joy and friendship. You will think of all the sights you have seen and the events that you have celebrated. You will be surrounded by the people you shared these things with and say, “It has been a good life.”

The Reverend Jesse Jackson always told us to “Keep hope alive.”

He knew that there are too many people in our world living without hope.

The dictionary defines “hope” as a feeling that what is wanted will happen.

So, His message to us was to bring hope to the hopeless.

But how long can a person hold on to hope when year after year their life does not improve?

If you are reading this, you have the ability to give hope to someone in your community. There are many organizations that provide hope in our name when we contribute.

For example, in the Detroit area, there is an organization called Lighthouse.

Sometimes, even if both parents are working fulltime jobs, it still is not enough to provide rent, utilities and food for their families.

This organization helps subsidize working parents so they can keep their families together and have a wholesome life.

Very often the parents will get advancements in their occupations and finally be able to make it totally on their own.

With a little help from someone like you, HOPE IS ALIVE!

If not today, when?

I think most of us procrastinate from time-to-time.

Or, maybe ALWAYS!

I think many of us don’t get things done on time because we assign a higher priority to others.

It’s also quite possible that people are overwhelmed with the fast pace of their lives.

Somethings gotta give and thus procrastination raises its ugly face more often.

Or,maybe we’re just lazy.

Always have been.

And always hope to continue as such in the future!

If your plan is to keep doing it, don’t invite people over.

Not today, not ever!

 

 

The answer is YES!

The biggest reasons are probably FEAR, TIME or MONEY.

We might be physically afraid or concerned about their effect on our employment, friendship or family relations.

It may be too late or it may take too much time.?

It may be too expensive.

Which opportunities are still doable?

Which one would give you the greatest satisfaction, joy or peace?

What is holding you back?

Maybe a lack of money?

Why have you avoided doing it or saying it thusfar?

Fear, Time or Money?

If not today, when?

Are you a “YES” person like the man in the photo?

So, are all those “YESSES” spreading you too thin?

Do people keep coming to you to solve their problems?

And do they seek you out because they know you won’t say,”NO?”

Maybe you are a “YES” person or you know someone who is.

“YES” people deserve a BREAK!

You have a life too.

And you have problems to address in your life.

You are probably a very kind person and it’s hard for you to say “NO!”

But, there are times when you must refrain because you have too much on your plate.

In those times, just explain that you’re overloaded and will have to say “NO!”

If not today, when?

“Some people see things as they are and ask, “Why?”

Others see things as they could be and ask, “Why not?” (A curious mind)

Curious minds are so necessary if society is to enjoy a better future.

Can you imagine what kind of mind invented the steam locomotive?

All those moving parts must work in harmony for the train to move.

Two days ago, a little privately-owned company designed a satellite to land softly on the moon.

They even had to adjust the software on the fly when there was a problem.

Do you have a curious mind? Use it. Develop it. Share it.

We need you to solve today’s challenges and create new ones.

If not today, when?

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I was talking with an old friend.

After 60 years of marriage, his wife had to move to an assisted living facility.

He told me that, while living alone in his family home, he began to notice things.

Those THINGS were all the nice chores she performed that were not done anymore.

Frankly, he was overwhelmed with all her kindnesses that went unnoticed all those years.

How about YOU?

It would be best if you noticed and acknowledged all the THINGS your partner does for you.

If you have someone who puts up with you every day you are blest!

Be sure to return the blessings!

If not today, when?

(Commuters crossing London Bridge on their way to work)

One year after the conclusion of the world’s biggest trial of a four-day work week, a large majority of companies that took part were still allowing their employees to work a shorter week and more than half had made the change permanent.

For six months between June and December 2022, workers at 61 organizations in the United Kingdom worked 80% of their usual hours — for the same pay — in exchange for promising to deliver 100% of their usual work.

At least 89% of those firms were still operating the policy and at least 51% had made the four-day week permanent at the end of 2023.

At the end of the trial, employees reported enjoying better physical and mental health, greater work-life balance and general life satisfaction, and less exhaustion from work.

… and these improvements have been maintained one year on.

You and your spouse are distinctly unique people.

Each of you were parented differently.

Both of you experienced events that have shaped your life and judgement.

Your parents’ marriage will affect yours plus or minus.

So, here you are, married to someone who can complete you if you’re willing.

One of the great blessings of marriage is the opportunity to learn.

… and grow together!

If not today, when?